Typewriting machine



May 4 1925.

' W. A. DOBSON TYPBWRITING CHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 23, 1923 May 4 1926. 1,582,906

- W. A. DOBSON TYPEWRITING mcumn Filed Jan. 25, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fiwenfan ill Patented May 4, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT] OFFICE. I

WILLIAM A. DOBSON, OF BRIDGEPOBT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO UNDER/WOOD TYPEWRITER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAXVARE.

TYPEWRITING MACHINE.

Application filed January 23, 1923. Serial No. 614,399.

To all "whom it nmg concern Be it known that I, lVILLIAM A. DOBSON, a citizen of the United States, residing in Bridgeport, in the county of Fairlield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Typewriting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to typewrit ing machines of the class in which the platen is on a carriage movable in letter-feed and return directions with respect to a fixed printing point, and in which the type-bars strike on the front of the platen. More particularly, the invention relates to means for finding the correct location of the carriage for printing in any desired letter, or column, position.

It is usual to provide a typewriting ma chine with a scale set close to the surface of the platen at the printing line, to designate the position, in the line, of a letter or character written in registration therewith, and to serve as a gage both in letter-space and line-space adjustments of the paper on the platen. This scale has heretofore been relied upon also as ameans whereby to set the platen with any desired letter or column position thereof at the printing point. In order, however, reliably to fulfill its first-mentioned functions, it must be set in such position that, in a front-strike machine, it. passes behind the type-guide and ribbon, at and near the printing point; and is, therefore, readable with uncertainty and trouble at ust the part thereof which is of consequence in setting the carriage for printing in a given letter or column position.

A feature of the invention is the provision of means whereby the setting of the platencarria-ge for printing in a desired letter or column position, may be correctly and quickly determined.

In this connection, a feature of the invention is a second or auxiliary scale, secured to the carriage below the usual scale, and in such position that view of the portion thereof at and near the printing point is unobstructed by thetype-guide and ribbon. The plate or piece on which the type-guide proper is formed, is preferably utilized to provide an index point or finger, exactly in line with the printing point, for registration with the graduations on this second scale, and, for this purpose, may have an opening therein under the type-guide proper, and through which the scale is visible; the index-point being formed on that edge of the guidepiece which forms the lower wall of the opening therethrough.

Typewriting machines are usually provided with spring-lingers for holding the margins of the paper to the platen above the printing line; these lingers being secured to the carriage below the usual scale, projectand being carried by slides on a rail, for adjustment lengthwise of the platen.

A feature of the invention is the use of this rail as the support for the second scale. Another feature of the invention is the formation of the second scale as a spring-strip having a natural set such that, when free, it assumes a form in which the front oi the scale is concave, and, when secured at its ends to mg upward across the front of the latter,

the rail, it lies flat, and bears resiliently,

against the latter, throughout its length. The spring-scale may therefore, be laid on the rail over the linger-carrying slides; and, bearing resiliently toward the rail, will permit movement of the slides between the same and the rail, and will exert a pressure on the slides sulilcient to hold the latter by friction against accidental displacement.

The scale maybe otherwise mounted, and may be so spaced from the ordinary scale as to allow the paper-fingers to project between the two scales. The two scales may be in a single piece, and the single piece may be slotted to allow the paper-fingers to project therethrough and to be adjustable therealong.

lVhen the paper is long, or where, as in the case of the so-cal ed portable machines, the machine is of little height, the end of the paperinay dragon the machine-support or desk, unless provision to the contrary is made. Paper-supporting lingers, forming in effect an upward extension of the paper guide or table at the rear of the platen, are commonly provided to prevent contact of the paper with the desk; and these fingers are usually collapsible or foldable to idle position when not in use.

A feature of the invention is a novel and simple pivotal mounting of these paper-supporting fingers, and construction of the fingers at their pivots, for assuring easy movement thereof, and for assuring their position, against unintentional movement, whether in effective or in idle position.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a top plan View of the platencarriage and parts carried thereby; certain of the parts being broken away for clearer illustration of underlying parts.

Figure 2 is aview, in front elevation, of the platen-carriage and parts carried thereby; the type-segment, type-guide, and auxiliary scale being also shown.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the auxiliary scale in relaxed condition.

Figure 4 is a view, in cross-sectional side elevation, taken on the line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, except that the shift-frame and main frame are omitted, the supplemental papensupports shown in effective position, and the pressurerolls in released position.

' Figure 6 is a view showing one of the supplemental paper-supports folded down into the position assumed when not in use.

The platen 10 is revolubly mounted in the side plates 11 and 12 of the platen-carriage 13. The carriage is movable in letter-feet and return directions on a case-shift-frame 14, and is movable as a unit up and down with the latter from one to another caseposition on the main frame 15. The mounting of the shift-frame on the main frame and the means by which the shift is effected may be that shown in United States Letters Patent to William A. Dobson, No. 1,335,956, dated April (3, 1920, to which reference is made for such understanding thereof as may be desired. The carriage side plates 11 and 12 are connected at the rear by across piece or tie 16, and, below the platen, by another cross piece or tie 17. The cross-pieces 16 and 17 are themselves connected, intermediate their ends, by two straps 17 (see Figure 5). The cross-piece 17 is supported by rollerbearings 18 on a rail or runway 19 on the shift-case-frame. A roller 20, carried by a bracket-arm 21, secured to the cross-piece 17, engages the under side of the rail 19, to hold the forward part of the carriage to the rail 19. A bracket 22 on the carriage-crosspiece 16 carries a roller 23, by means of which the carriage is supported at its rear on a rail 24, formed on the upper edge of a rear cross-piece 25 of the shift-frame 14. A lip 26 in the lower end of the bracket 22 is turned under the rail 24, to prevent upward displacement of the rear of the carriage.

Secured to the carriage-cross-piece 17, as by screws 27, one at each side thereof, are sheetmetal brackets 28, having arms 29 formed thereon. The ends of these arms are bent over, as at 30, to receive and hold pins or shafts 31, on which the usual paper table and apron 32 is pivoted; the paper-table having ward edges of the paper-table and apron 32,

are the shafts 35 of the pressurefeed-rolls 36. In Figure 4 position of the paper-table, the rolls 36 bear upon the platen for feed of the paper with the latter. In Figure 5 position of the paper-table, the pressure-rolls are shown as released from the platen, to permit of easy insertion, removal and adjustment of the paper. For throwing the paper-table from Figure 4 to Figure 5 position, to release the rolls, an arm 37 is provided. This arm has a lateral offset 38 at its upper end (see Figure 1), which carries a roller 39 for frictionless engagement with the rear of the paper-table. The arm 37 is fast to, or forms an offset on the end of, a rockshaft 40. The rock-shaft 40 has a bearing formed on the one hand by the flange 41 of the carriagecross-piece 16, and on the other hand by rounded grooves 42 in the heads of screws 43, threaded into the carriagecross-piece 16. The r ix-shaft 40 extends longitudinally of the carriage, and, at its right-hand end, has fast thereto, or turned up therefrom, an arm 44, which carries a fingerpiece 45. Forward movement of the finger-piece 45 from Figure 4 to Figure 5 position causes the rocleshaft 40 to throw the arm 37 forward and downward against the table 32, to rock the latter on its pivot 31 in such direction as to release the pressure-rolls.

The table is held in Fig. 4 position, and is returned from Figure 5 to Figure 4 position, and the pressure of the rolls 36 against the platen, in Figure 4 position, is maintained by means of leaf-springs 46, one at each end of the paper-table. These springs 46 (see Figures 1 and 5), at one end, are secured by screws 47 to the under side of the carriage-cross-piece 17 They are thence ex tended rearwardly and upwardly, and thence forwardly bet-ween the pin-shafts 31 and the paper-table, and their free ends 48 are continued forwardly along the under side of the paper-table, in contact with the latter, and of the general curvature of the latter. In the Figure 4 position of the paper-table, these springs are under suilicient compression to exert a pressure of the feed-rolls on the platen. In the Figure 5 position of the paper-table, the springs are under further compression and tend to throw the papertable and the rolls off the platen. In this position of the paper-table, however, the return thereof to Figure 4 position is blocked by the arm 37 and roll 39, which, as shown in Fignre 5, are in dead-center position in respect to the table.

The. fingers for supporting the paper, and 'orming, in effect, an upward extension of he paper-table 32, are in the form of metal strips 49, pivoted on ears 50, formed on the hinge a-l of the carriage-cross-piece 16. In their ineffective or Figures 1 and lposition, they are folded down, parallel to the carriage-cross-piece 16. To be brought into use, they are swung up by means of ears or iinger-pieces 51, formed thereon, to Figure 5 position. A screw threaded into the corresponding bracket-ear 50, serves as a aivot for each finger 49. This screw has an enlarged portion 53, which provides a shoulder, and has bearing on a washer 54:, inserted between the same and the bracketear '50. The enlarged portion 58 passes through an opening in a bent-out or belliedpart of the finger, and terminates in a head 56. The finger, at each edge of its bellied portion bears against the washer 54:, and is held against forward and rearward angular displacement by the washer and by the head 56 of the screw. lVhen tne screw is turned down to bring the she of the enlarged portion 58 thereof ag the washer, the heac 56 bears upon the cob lied portion 553 of the finger, and, the latter being somewhat resilient, a grip of the finger by the screw is obtained; such as to cause the finger to be held by friction in whatever position it may be set, without, however, unduly resisting movement of the linger. The finger is, therefore, prevented from falling from its effective position, and, when the machine is tilted, will not swing outw r? from ineffective position. The washer may be threaded to serve as a loclcnut for the screw The washer 5% presents a smooth facing for the braclret and a smooth bearing surface on which the finger is swung. The washer itself is, however, prevented from turning by means of a pin 57, set into an indentation in the edge thereof (see Figure 6), and into the bracket ear 50. The pin 57, by engagement with the Qt ge of the finger 49, serves as a stop to determine the ineffective position of the as shown in Figure 6. hen the tin thrown to Figure position, the one tail-piece 58 on th ting-er strikes t side of the pin 57 0 determine the 1 thereof at right an 'les to the carria e piece 16.

The machine is shown as a front-strilro machine, and the types 59 are pivoted in the usual manner to a segment-plate StRtiO-IL ary on the main frame of the machine. Made fast by screws 61 to the segment-plate 60 is a type-guide 62. Fingers 63 on the type-guide define a passage 6%, for receiving a shoulder on the typebar to guide and cen ter the type. The usual letter-spaces: le

wings projecting above the ribbon.

is provided with ears 6G, turned reara rd and extending down vard from "he lower edge thereof, and these ears are set against. and secured by screws 67 to, cars 68, offset downward from the front edge of the papei table. When, therefore, the pa )er-table is moved from Figure l to Figure position, the scale (35 is thrown downward and aw from the platen, to permit free movement of the sheets around the platen, between the scale and the platen, and to permit of lateral adjustment of the sheets with respect to the graduations on the scale. The scale ordi narily also serves as a line-gage.

It will be noted, however, that at, and in the immediate vicinity of, the printing point (see Figure 2), the portion 69 of the typeguide, which supports the fingers (53 thereof, partially obstructs the view of the scale 65. Even when the ribbon is not prescm, the scale cannot be easily read through the type-guide-groove 64, because of the depth of the latter and the distance of the scale behind the type-guide, and because of the insufficiency of light behind the typeguide. When the ribbon is present, it n ay obstruct any View of the scale behind the type-guide, unless the scale is provided with graduated Visible numbering of graduations on such wings is not ordinarily provided, and, i. any event, the wings must be separated and the graduations thus interrupted to per lit of passage for the type to the platen. With or Without the ribbon, a quick and certain reading of the scale 65, for placement or a desired graduation thereon at the Print point, is ditlicult.

in order that any desired point or position in a line may be accurately and assuredly set at the printing point by movement of the platen with the paper thereon in letter-feed or reverse direction, a second sc e 70 is provided. This scale is 3.119 Sll porting ears cc on the scale 65, which illu spaced from the rail 72 by shoulders or lugs 76 on the latter, are offset forward, over it e upper edge of the rail 72, clearance being: provided between the ears 65 of the scale 65, and the ears which hold the )aperinger-slides 74 to the rail 72.

The second scale 70 is set to the rail with the paper-finger-slides H between the rail '72 and the scale 70. The scale '70, as indicated in Figure 3, is a strip of spri metal, which, when relaxed, tends to cure forward from the center of the scale to the ends thereof. lVhen, therefore, it is secured by the screws 71 to the rail 72, it sets snugly against the rail 72 tln'oughont its length, and exerts a resilient pressure on the slides T1 of the apcnfingers, tending, by friction, to hold the paper-ii sets '73, against displacement, in whatever sosition the lingers 73 may be set. The attachment of the scale 70, bein at the ends thereof, and the scale being re? nent, the slides Tl of the paper-fingers may be moved freely lengthwise of the platen between the scale and the rail The scale 70 may be :mcurately adjusted in respect to the scale 65, to bring the read ings on the two scales into proper registration, by reason of the fact that the openings 77 in the scale 70, through which the screws 71 pass, are elongated. When the screws "F1 are loosened, the scale 70 may be adjusted longitudinally with respectto the scale (55, and, when the heads of the screws 71 are tightened against the e TO. the latter will be held fast in adjusted pos' ion. Slots TS in the downward offsets (i of the paper table provide for similar adjustment of the scale 65.

it will be noted that an opening '79 is provided in the type-guicle-plate (52 below the upper cross-piece ($9 of cool pen

the latter, and that this opening is of such width and so located that the scale 70, with its graduations and numerals, is clearly visible to the operator therethrough, below the lower edge of the ribbon. The wall which forms the lower edge of the opening 79 has index point or linger 80, centrally thereof and in true alignment with the printing position. The letter-space position of the platen and paper, with respect to the printing point, may, therefore, at all times, be accurately determined by means of the scale 70 and indexpoint 80; there being nothing at any time to obstruct view of the scale '50 at the indexpoint 80.

Variations may he resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a front-strike typewriting machine, tvpebars, a type-segment to which the bars are pirated, a type-guide for the bars at the printing point, a platen, aplaten-carriage, a letter-space-scale on the carriage behind the type-guide, close to the surface of the platen, marginal paper-fingers secured to the carriage below the scale, projecting upward across the same for engagement with the platen above the. printing line, and a second scale set over the fingers and behind the type-guide, below the first scale, and having the graduations thereon visible at the printg point below the type-guide.

2. In a front-strike typewriting machine, type-bars, atypesegment to which the bars are pivoted, a type-guide for the bars at the printing point, a platen, a platen-carriage, a lei:ter-spacescale on the carriage behind the type-guide, close to the surface of the platen, a rail below the scale, marginal paper-fingers slidable on the rail and projecting upward over the scale for engagement with the platen above the printing line, and a second scale set upon and secured to the finger-supporting rail, and having the graduations thereof visible at the printing point below the type-guide.

P3. In a froribstrilte typewriting machine, type-bars, a type-segment to which the bars are pivoted, a type-guide for the bars at the printing point, a platen, a platen-carriage, a letter-space-scale on the carriage behind the typenide, close to the surface of the platen, a rail below the scale, marginal paper-tr ers slidable. on the rail and projecting upward over the scale for engage meat with the platen above the printing line, and a second scale set upon and secured to giaduations thereof visible at the print-- p int below the type-guide.

at. in a front-strike typewriting machine, type-bars, a type-segment to which the bars are pivoted, a type-guide for the bars at the printing point, a platen, a platen-can riage, a letter-space-scale on the carriage behind the type-guide, close to the surface of the platen, a rail below the scale, marginal paper-fingers slidable on the rail and projecting upward over the scale for engagementwith the platen above the printing line, and a second scale set upon and secured to the rail over the paper-fingers, and having the graduations thereof visible at the printing point below the type-guide, the second scale being secured to the rail at the ends thereof, to permit movement of the fingers along the rail between the rail and the scale thereon.

5. In a front-strike typewriting machine, type-bars, a type segment to which the bars are pivoted, a type-guide for the bars at the printing point, a plat-en, a plateircarriage, a letter-space-scale on the carriage behind the type-guide, close to the surface of the pla en, a rail below the scale, marginal paper-fingers slidabie on the rail and projecting upward over the scale for engagement with the platen above the printing line, and a second scale set flat against and secured to the rail over the paper-fingers, and having the graduations thereof visible at the printing point below the type-guide, the second scale being flexible to permit movement of the fingers along the rail.

6. in a front-strike typevrriting machine,

"ail over the paper-lingers, and having type-bars, a type-segment to which the bars are pivoted, a type-guide for the bars at the printing point, a platen, a platen-can riage, a letter-space-scale on the carriage behind the typeguide, close to the surface of the platen, a rail below the scale, mart ginal paper-fingers slidable on the rail and projecting upward over the scale for engagement with the platen above the printing line, and a second scale set flat against and secured to the rail over the paper-fingers, and having the graduations thereof visible at the printing point below the type-guide, the second scale being of spring-metal having a set such that, when released from the rail,

it presents a concave front face, and such that, when set flat against the rail, it exerts a resilient pressure on the fingers, serving to hold the fingers by friction in adjusted position.

7. In a front-strike typewriting machine, type-bars, a type-segment to which the bars are pivoted, a type-guide for the bars at the printing point, a platen, a platen-carriage, a letter-space-scale on the carriage behind the type-guide, close to the surface of the platen, a rail below the scale, slides on the rail, marginal paper-lingers carried by the slides, and projecting upward over the scale for engagement with the platen above the printing line, and a second scale set flat against and secured to the rail over, the slides, and having the graduations thereof visible at the printing point below the typeguide, the second scale being of spring-meta having a setsuch that, when released from the rail, it presents a concave front face and such that, when set flat against the rail, it exerts a resilient pressure on the slides, serving to hold the fingers by friction in adjusted position.

8. In a front-strike typewriting machine, type-bars, a type-segment to which the bars are pivoted, a type-guide for the bars at the printing point, a platen, a platen-carriage, a letter-space-scale on the carriage behind the type-guide, close to the surface of the platen, a rail below the scale, mare ginal paper-fingers slidable on the rail and projecting upward over the scale for engagement with the platen above the printing line. and a second scale set flat against and secured to the rail over the paper-fingers, and having the graduations thereof visible at the printing point below the type-guide, the second scale bein of spring-metal having a set such that, when released from the rail, it presents a concave front face, and such that, when set flat against the rail, it will yield forward to accommodate the fingers.

9. In a typewriting machine, a platen, a platen'carriage, a rail on the carriage in front of the platen, and extending longitudinally thereof, and a scale set upon and secured to the rail; the scale being a graduated spring-metal strip having a set such that,

when free of the rail, it bends to present a concave front face, and such that, when secured by its ends to the rail, it will lie flat against the latter throughout the length of the same.

10. In a typewriting machine, a platen, a platen-carriage, narginal paper-fingers adjustable on the carriage lengthwise of the platen, and projecting upward for engagement with the platen above the printing line, and a duplex scale secured to the carriage at the front of the platen, and extend ing longitudinally of the latter; the scale having identically graduated sections with an elongated opening therebetween through which the paper-fingers project, and along which the paper-fingers may be adjusted.

11. I11 a typewriting machine, type-bars, a type-guide, a platen, a platen-carriage,

marginal paper-lingers adjustable on the carriage lengthwise of the platen, and projecting upward for engagement with the platen above the printing line, and a duplex scale secured to the carriage at the front of the platen, and extending longitudinally of the latter; the scale having identically graduated sections with an elongated opening therebetween through which the paperfingers project, and along which the paperfingers may be adjusted; one of said scalesections being close to the surface of the platen behind the type-guide, and the other of the scale-sections being visible below the type-guide.

12. In a typewriting machine, type-bars, a type-guide, a platen, a platen-carriage, marginal paper-fingers adjust/able on the carriage lengthwise of the platen, and projecting upward for engagement with the platen above the printing line, a duplex scale secured to the carriage at the front of the platen, and extending longitudinally of the latter; the scale having identically graduated sections with an elongated opening therebetween through which. the paperfingers project, and along which the paperfingers may be adjusted; one of said scalesections being close to the surface of the platen behind the type-guide, and the other of the scale-sections being visible below the type-guide; and an index point or finger at the printing point for registration with the graduations on the lower scale-section.

18. In a front-strike typewriting machine, the combination with a revoluble platen and ribbon-mechanism including a typeguide, of a letter-feed and aligning scale extending along the platen adjacent the printing line, a second scale beneath the first-named scale and having corresponding graduations therewith, said second scale being visible beneath the type-guide, and paper-fingers slidably mounted at the front ofthe platen, one of said scales co-operating with said paper-fingers to hold the latter frictionally in adjusted positions along the platen.

14.111 a front-strike typewriting machine, the combination With a revoluble platen and ribbon-mechanism including a type-guide, of a lettenfeed and aligning scale extending along the platen adjacent the printing line, a second scale visible beneath the first scale and having correspond ing graduations therewith, an index associated With said type-guide and registering with said second scale whereby to indicate the letter-feeding position of the platen, and paper-fingers mounted to slide lengthwise in front of the platen, said second scale frictionally engaging said paper-fingers Whereby to hold the latter in adjusted positions along the platen.

WILLIAM A. DOBSON. 

